Open Air Education, Castle Eden Dene Nnr
Open Air Education is an independent school for pupils aged 4 to 14 in Castle Eden Dene Nnr.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Open Air Education in detail
Open Air Education in its own words
In its own words: "In short, we’re a school driven by sustainability at the core, a school which prioritises holistic wellbeing and offers a learning programme with personalised and experiential education that adapts to individual strengths and aspirations. At OpenAir Education, ambition is encouraged, and potential is unlocked."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Who goes there
In 2026, 2 pupils (9.5%) received SEN support and 2 (9.5%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Horden, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bywell Drive (sw-bound), 350 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 205 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's July 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Open Air Education creates a caring, nature-based learning environment where children thrive. Staff work hard to build strong relationships with every pupil, helping them grow in confidence and develop resilience. The school has excellent systems for teaching reading and uses creative outdoor activities to make learning engaging and memorable.
Key Strengths
- Excellent behaviour and attitudes - pupils are exceptionally well-behaved and show great respect for their learning environment and each other
- Strong outdoor learning environment - pupils thrive using creative activities in nature to develop literacy, numeracy and communication skills
- Excellent attendance and pupil wellbeing - pupils feel valued, safe and confident, with high expectations for both academic and social achievement
- Well-established reading programme - systematic phonics teaching with regular checks to identify and support gaps in reading skills
- Happy, committed staff team with strong relationships - staff prioritise pupil wellbeing and manage behaviour through building positive relationships
Areas for Improvement
- Handwriting and early writing skills not well developed - pupils have too few opportunities to improve handwriting at age-appropriate levels
- Inconsistent understanding of PSHE curriculum - pupils lack detailed knowledge about other cultures and faiths, which could limit their understanding of modern Britain
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders ensuring pupils feel safe and have a voice.
Extracurricular Activities
Trips and visits to museums, city centres and the beach, reading in hammocks in the woods
Open Air Education is a happy and calm school where staff and parents share a vision of education rooted in nature. It has been rated Good overall with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes.
Fees for 2026/27
Day fees, per year
£7,200
about £2,400 a term
Including VAT at 20% (added by us to the school's ex-VAT figure). From the school's own fee schedule; check with the school before you rely on it.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Latest from Open Air Education
What kind of school is this, exactly?
1 Jul 2026
Manosphere: The boys we are failing
18 Mar 2026
The Future of Education: a nurturing, aspirational space for tomorrow’s leaders to thrive
19 Mar 2025
A Celebration of Community: Our First Outdoor Harvest Feast & Student Exhibition
22 Oct 2024
OpenAir Education: A New School Shaping Future Leaders for a Sustainable World
26 Sep 2024
From Open Air Education's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Open Air Education
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
30%
Available places
21 pupils
70 places
49 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Across County Durham council
Places available
5,720
Applications
4,986
Got 1st preference
94.2%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across County Durham council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
2
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
19.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
21
Total Pupils
11
Boys
10
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Open Air Education
How many pupils go to Open Air Education?
Open Air Education has around 21 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Open Air Education?
Open Air Education is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Open Air Education?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Open Air Education?
Open Air Education is at Oakerside Lodge, Castle Eden Dene Nnr, Castle Eden Dene Nnr, County Durham, SR8 1NJ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)